Toyotas Declared Safe; What Was all the Fuss About?

Published in Sankei Shimbun
(Japan) on 10 February 2011
by (link to originallink to original)
Translated from by Andrew Gonzalez. Edited by Heidi Kaufmann.
So just what was all the fuss about? Despite implications of faulty electronic control systems in American Toyota vehicles, U.S. transportation authorities announced that their study “found no evidence of an electronic defect,” at last vindicating the assertions of Toyota Motor Corporation.

The probe, conducted by the U.S. Department of Transportation and NASA, investigated the safety of the electronic control system, which controls acceleration and deceleration. It was determined that the majority of accidents were caused by pedal misapplication, i.e., stepping on the accelerator instead of the brake. The electronic control system is a crucial part of an automobile, so confirmation of its safety by American experts is welcome news.

Toyota, of course, should continue to be thorough in ensuring product safety. The problem is that the U.S. stirred up consumer fears, such as with the congressional hearings. The Japanese government should have countered the U.S.’ claims more resolutely with solid evidence.

Until the beginning of last year, there were numerous complaints of unintended accelerations in American Toyotas, and Congress held several hearings on the issue. In the run-up to the midterm elections, “Toyota bashing” served as a means of political grandstanding.

One example is Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood’s thoughtless remark during the ongoing probe that people should “stop driving [Toyotas].” When he heard the results of the probe, he patched things up by saying, “We feel that Toyota vehicles are safe to drive,” but his statements nonetheless spread “rumor damage.” Both Congress and the U.S. government as a whole should reflect on their actions.

Nor was the Japanese government’s response much help. They showed fear in the face of Congress’s “Toyota bashing” and did not do enough to call for a calmer response. The administration of [Prime Minister] Naoto Kan has set forth a growth strategy that aims to help Japanese businesses expand in overseas markets. The government should do their duty to maintain an environment in which Japanese businesses can be at ease in making inroads abroad.

To that end, the sharing of information concerning safety measures is essential. Last year, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism conducted an independent investigation that found no defects in Toyota vehicles’ electronic control systems, but the details were apparently not conveyed to their American counterparts. The failure of the two countries to share such critical facts is a major issue. Close information sharing with the relevant overseas authorities helps prevent unnecessary friction.

Problems with accelerator pedals and floor mats led to a massive recall of Toyotas in the U.S. Further ensuring of safety is essential to recovering trust.



トヨタ「安全」判定 あの騒ぎは何だったのか

 一体、あの騒動は何だったのか。米国のトヨタ車で不具合が指摘されていた電子制御システムをめぐり、米運輸当局が「欠陥は見当たらなかった」と調査結果を発表、トヨタ自動車の主張がようやく認められた。

 調査は米運輸省と航空宇宙局(NASA)が行い、加減速を調節する電子制御システムが安全か否かを究明した。その結果、大半の事故の原因がアクセルとブレーキの踏み間違いだったと判明した。電子システムは自動車の中枢部である。その安全性が米専門家の調査でも確認されたことは歓迎したい。

 これからもトヨタは安全対策を徹底すべきだ。問題は、議会公聴会などで消費者の不安をかき立てた米側の姿勢だ。日本政府も証拠に基づき米側に反論するなどもっと毅然(きぜん)としてほしかった。

 米国内では昨年初めまで、「トヨタ車で意図しない急加速があった」との訴えが相次いで、米議会はこの問題で何度も公聴会を開いた。中間選挙を控え、政治的なパフォーマンスで「トヨタたたき」が繰り広げられたといえる。

 ラフード運輸長官が原因調査中に、「トヨタ車には乗らない方がいい」と軽はずみな発言を行ったのも、その一例だ。長官は今回の調査結果を受け、「トヨタ車は安全だ」と取り繕ったが、自身の発言が「風評被害」を広げたのは事実だろう。米議会とともに米政府にも反省を求めたい。

 日本政府の対応も頼りないものだった。米議会の「トヨタたたき」の風潮に懸念を示し、冷静な対応を求めたりする姿勢は十分ではなかった。菅直人政権は日本企業が海外市場の成長を取り込むことを目指す成長戦略を打ち出している。日本企業が安心して海外に進出できるような環境を整備する責任を果たしてほしい。

 そのためには、安全対策情報の共有化が欠かせない。国土交通省は昨年、トヨタ車の電子システムを独自に調査して異常なしとしていたが、その内容は米側には伝えられていないという。そんな重大な事実が両国で共有されていなかったのは問題だ。海外当局と情報交換を緊密にすることが不必要な摩擦を防ぐことにつながる。

 米トヨタ車は、アクセルペダルやフロアマットなどの問題では大量のリコール(回収・無償修理)を起こした。信頼回復にはさらなる安全性の確保が欠かせない。
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